Mixed Lubrication Analysis of Vane Sliding Surface in Rotary Compressor Mechanisms

Abstract

Numerical analysis for mixed lubrication has been performed in order to investigate the lubrication characteristics of the sliding surface of the vane in a rotary compressor. The modified Reynolds equation and the elastic contact equation, considering the surface roughness, are solved as a coupled problem. Using this analysis, the lubrication characteristics of the sliding surface of the vane are investigated by parameter survey on the design parameters such as the vane-slot length and the clearance between the vane and vane-slot. It is found that the influences of the vane-slot length on the friction loss were larger than that of the clearance.

A Review on Sliding Vane and Rolling Piston Compressors

“…Subsequently, lubrication models for the vane tip and roller interface were formulated, the earliest model employing the elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) theory [144,145]. Subsequently, mixed lubrication models [146,147] were developed to better model the interface, with considerations for asperity contact [148][149][150] and for elastic deformation [151].…”

Mixed Lubrication Analysis of Vane Sliding Surface in Rotary Compressor Mechanisms

“…where, 1 h and 2 h are the average oil film thicknesses on discharge side and suction side, c v is the clearance between vane and vane-slot, 0 h is the average oil film thickness at the lower end of vane-slot (x=0 location in Fig. 2) on suction side, k is the inclination of vane.…”

“…Therefore, the optimum design by which a good lubricating condition on the sliding surface of the vane can be realized is required. And it is important to know the accurate lubrication characteristics of the vane sliding surface [1][2][3] .…”

“…In a previous study 1) , a numerical analysis approach for mixed lubrication has been performed in order to investigate the lubrication characteristics of the vane sliding surface. In the analysis, the vane-slot was assumed to be a rigid body.…”